Ribbon-feeding mechanism.



H. c. GAMMETBR. RIBBON FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JAILQ, 1905.

W M W .1 J M 1 v 2A v lll illlllllL H10. GAMMETER.

RIBBON FEEDING MECHANISM.

I 4 APPLICATION FILED 11111.9,1905. 1 997,285 Patented July 11,1911. I 3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

H. C. GAMMETBR.

RIBBON FEEDING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED IAN.9,1905.

997,285. Patented July 11, 1911 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

nn-ran; era's-Es PATENT OFFICE.

BARRY c. semester-in, or CLEVELAND, 01110, ASSIGNOR TO. THE AMERICAN. MULTI- eaerrr comrnnr, or CLEVELAND, omanconrom rron or OHIO.

RIBBON-FEEDING MECHANISM.

Application filed January 9, 1905. Serial 1%. 240,167.

Specification of letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1911.-

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and efiicient mechanism for feeding the inking ribbon of rotary printing machlnes so as to present a fresh portion of the ribbon tothe printing surface.

The invention is particularlyfidapted to printing mechanisms of the type shown in my Patent No. 722.404: and my application No. 196,840, wherein there is a rotatable drum having on its surface longitudinal type holders by which individual type are adapted to be carried. The ribbon passes around the drum and has its ends secured to a pair of spools set into a recess in the drum.

The mechanism constituting this invention, which is hereinafter more full 'describel and definitely set out in the. c aims,

operates to automatically rotate one spool or the other to wind in the ribbon and to automatically shift itself when either spool (the right hand spool being omit-ted) Fig.

3 is a vertical cross section on the line'33 of Fig. 1 looking toward the left; Fig. 4 is across sectionthrough the end of the drum on the line 4-4.- of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a port-ion of' one of the spools, showing the method of securing the end of the ribbon; and Fig. 6 is a cross section through the studs supporting the spools, substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

. As shown in thedrawings, A represents a frame standard. 'Journa-led in this and another standard A is a shaft 1) on which is mounted a drum B. On this drum are mounted longitudinal rails b which provide channels between them adapted to carry the type L. Within a recess 6 in the drum are mounted a pair of spools D and D, which carry the ribbon O which is passed around the drum from one spool to the other, as

shown in Fig. 2. This recess is really a space within the complete theoretic circumference of the drum, which communicates with the outside by reason of a portion of that circumference being omitted. The

omitted portion may vary in extent as desired. In the illustration it is substantially one fourth of the entire circumference." i

The drum is rotated by suitable means and thereby prints on paper drawn between it and a suitable impression platen K. On the drum is shown a gear b which may rotate such impression platen in unison with the drum, by meshing with a gear on the platen, for example.

The spools D and D are carried at one end by studs H mounted in the end member 6 of the printing drum B. Springs d bearin against the other ends of the spools norma ly maintain them, in such position, but either spool may be removed by pressing it to the left sufiiciently to release its connection with its stud H. J ournaled' on the studs H are ratchet wheels .J and J either of wheels consists of an eccentric strap E mounted on a stationary eccentric A carried, by

the frame member A around the shaft b of the drum. The eccentric strap carriesnear its extreme end a stud e towhieh is secured a pawl e, which-is adapted, as the drum rotates, to engage and draw toward'thecenter of the drum the teeth of either ratchet wheel. The eccentric is so positionedthat 'during the most of the rotation'ofthe drunino rotati'on is given. to. the ratchet wheel, but

I during the that the open space b is rotating pa'stthe impression platen, the pawl e enga es lei-tooth of the ratchet'wheel and forces t e same inward the distance of one tooth.

Pivoted to the plate 6 ofthe drum is an arm F having slots 1 which take loosely around the studs H. This arm F has in it a slot f through which the stud 6 projects. The arm F is thus adapted to guide the upper end of the eccentric arm, and determine the path of movement of the pawl c. A; spring-pressed plunger G carried by the drum is adapted to hold the arm F against accidental displacement from either of two extreme positions where it holds the feed pawl e in position to engage either ratchet wheel. Carried on' the arm F are a pair of spring-pressed detent pawls f either of which is adapted to engage the corresponding ratchet wheel and prevent the backward rotation thereof.

It will be seen that by shifting the arm F from one of its positions to the other the ribbon feed is reversed. This shifting is caused automatically whenever either spool becomes empty, because such empty spool holds the end of the ribbon and the wind ing in ofthe other spool stretches the ribbon, which, thus pulling backward on the spool, causes the ratchet wheel to force the corresponding detent pawl f away from the ratchet, and this movement swings the plate F so that the spring pressed plunger'G engages in the other depression in the upper end of the arm, and this completes the movement of the arm into its opposite position. This changes the direction of winding, the new "direction continuing until the other spool is empty, when the direction is again automatically reserved.

It will be seen that my ribbon-feeding mechanism is extremely simple of construction, positive in-operation and requires no extra parts whatever to cause it to automatically shift. It occupies space in the, drum which would otherwise be useless.

I claim:

. 1. In a ribbon feeding mechanism, the

combination of a rotatable drum, a pair of spools mounted'therein and adapted to carry the ribbon, a ratchet for driving one of said spools, an eccentric, and a member operated thereby for driving the ratchet.

2. The combination of a printing drum, a pair of spools carried thereby, an eccentric placed about the axis 'of rotation of the drum, and an eccentric strap carried by the drum and a driving connection between said strap and one of the spools.

3. Thecombination of a drum, a pair of ribbon spools mounted therein, a wheel connected with each spool, an eccentric, an eccentric 'strapsurrounding the same and revolving with the drum, a member actuated by said strap and adapted to engage either wheel,and means for shifting said member.

4. The combination of a printing. drum, a

qpair'of ribbon spools-mounted therein, a

aratchetqwheel for eachribbon spool, mechanism having a pawl adapted to engage one ratchet wheel or the other as the drum rotates, and means for shifting the pawl from one wheel to the other.

5. The combination of a rotary drum, a pair of ribbon spools carried thereby, ratchet mechanism connected with the ribbon spools, an eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same and carried by said drum and adapted to operate the ratchet mechanism, and shifting means for determining the spool driven. v

6. The combination of a drum, a pair of ribbon spools mounted therein, wheels connected with the ribbon spools, an eccentric, an eccentric fstrap surrounding the same and revolving with the drum and adapted to operateeither wheel, and shiftable means for determining which wheel the strap operates.

7. The combination of a rotatable drum, a pair of spools mounted therein, ratchet wheels for driving said spools, a member for operating said wheels, a movable arm pivoted to the drum and having a slidable connection with said member, and means for reciprocating said member.

8. The combination of a pivoted arm, an eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same and slidably connected with said arm, a pair of spools, and driving mechanism therefor adapted to be operated by said eccentric strap.

9. The combination of a rotatable drum, an arm pivoted thereto, a stationary eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same, and slidably connected with said arm, a pair of spools each having a driving ratchet adapted to be operated by said eccentric strap.

10. The combination of a pivoted arm, an eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same, a member movable by said strap and guided by said arm, a pair of spools, and driving mechanism therefor adapted to be operated by said member.

11. In a printing mechanism, the combination of a rotary drum, a pair of ribbon spools carried thereby,ratchet wheels connected with the ribbon spools, a stationary eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same and carried by said drum and adapted to operate either ratchet, means for shifting said strap from one ratchet to the other, said means being controlled by an empty spool.

12. The combination of a rotatable drum, an arm pivoted thereto, a stationary eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same slidably connected with said arm, a pair of spools each having a ratchet adapted to be operated by said eccentric strap, and mechanism .actuated by one of the spools becoming empty to shift said arm.

13. The combination of a movable type member, a pair of spools carried thereby, a

pivoted arm carried by said member, a stationaryeccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same, and mechanism operated by said strap and guided by said arm for operating either spool. p

14. The combination of a pair of rlbbou I spools, a ratchet wheel for each spool, mechanism adapted to engage one ratchet wheel the pull of the ribbon when a spool becomes em ty operating through said detent mechani m to shift said member.

15. The combination of a pair of ribbon spools,- a ratchet wheel for each spool, a pivoted arm, driving mechanism for the ratchets overned by said arm, a pair of detent paw s thereon adapted to engage either ratchet, whereby the pull of the ribbon, when it becomes empty, giving a backward rotation to the ratchet, "forces the engaged detent away from the ratchet and thereby shifts the driving mechanism to the other spool.

16. The combination of a spool for carrying the ribbon, said spoolhaving a longitudinal recess therein, and a channel shaped spring member having edgefianges an a bulging. intermediate {portion which is adapted to be forced intosuch recess and by bearing against the walls thereof to hold the ribbon to the s 001.

17. The com ination of a movable typecarrying member, a pair of spools mounted therein, an eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the. same, mechanism carried by said member which is adapted to be oper-' ated by said strap, guiding means for such mechanism mounted on said member, and a spring tending to hold saidguiding means in either extreme position-to drive either spool.

'18. The combination of a rotary drum, a stationary eccentric surrounding the axis of rotation of the drum, an eccentric strap surrounding the eccentric, shiftable guiding means carried on the drum, a pair of spools mounted on the. drum and each having a driving ratchet, and mechanism for engaging either ratchet driven, by said eccentric and guided by said guiding means.

19. In a printing mechanism, the combination of a movable printing member, a pair of ribbon spools carried thereby, a ratchet wheel for each spool, an eccentric, an

eccentric strap surrounding the same,'and' shift'able means adapted to connect the eccentric strap with either ratchet, said means being automatically controlled according to the amount of ribbon on one of the spools.

20. The combination of a rotary printing member, a pair of ribbon spools mounted thereon, an eccentric carried by the frame,

an eccentric strap surrounding sucheccentric and adapted to rotate either spool, and

automatic means for reversing the direction 21. The combination of a rotary drum of feed of said ribbon.

ing member, formed to carry individual typeya pair of spools mounted thereon and adapted to carry a transfer fabric extending across the type, meansfr automatically feeding such fabric asthe printing member moves, and means for automatically reversing the direction of feed due to the pull" of the fabric. 3

23. The combination of an impression platen, a movable printing member formed to carry. type on its surface, a pair of spools mounted in said member, an eccentric, and an eccentric strap movable with said printing member and operating to rotate one of said spools, while such spool is opposite the impression platen.

a 24. In a printing mechanism, the 'combination of a movable printing member, a pair of ribbon spools carried thereby, a wheel for each spool, an eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same, and shiftable means adapted to connect the "eccentric strap with either wheel.

25. The combination of a movable typecarrying member, a pair of spools mounted therein, an eccentric, an eccentric strapsurrounding the same, and mechanism carried by said member which is adapted to ,be operated by said strap to drive either spool.

26. The combination of a drum, a pair of i ribbon spools mounted therein, a wheel connected with each spoolfl mechanism carried by the drum for engaging and operating either wheel, a stationary member, and a member adapted to travel around the stationary member and connected with said mechanism to operate it. i

'27. The combination of a rotatable drum, a pivoted arm carried thereby, a member slidably guided by said arm, a pair of spools, driving mechanism therefor operated by said member, and mechanism carried around the same as the drum rotates and operatively connected with the member first mentioned.

. 28. The combination of a rotatable printing drum, a pair of spool-operating wheels carried thereby, an eccentric placed about' a stationary member,

' erated by the the axis of rotation of. the drum, an eccen the drum, a driving member carried around by the drumand engaging said operating member, and connecting mechanism be-" tween said driving member and one of the spool-operating wheels.

30. The combination of a rotary printing member formed to carry a page form, a pair of ribbon spools adapted to carry a ribbon therefor a page wide, and automatic means operated by the pull of the ribbon on the spool for reversing the direction of the feed thereof while the member is rotating.

31. The combination of a movable printing member formed to carry a page form of individual type, a comparatively long inks ing ribbon a page wide adapted to cooperate therewith, a pair of ribbon spools mounted on the printing member, means for rotating either spool to-feed the ribbon from the other, and means controlled by the pull on the ribbon for changing the spool driven.

32. The combination of a movable print ing member, a pair of ribbon spools mounted thereon, means for rotating either spool while .the member is moving, and means oppull on the ribbon for automatically changing the drive from one spool to the other.

33. The combination of a movable printing member carrying a page form of individual assembled type, a pair of ribbon spools mounted thereon and adapted to carry a ribbon to cooperate therewith, means for driving either spool to feed the ribbon, and means operated automatically by the retardation of a spool due to the other spool becoming empty and independent of the number of operations of the printing member to change the direction of drive from one spool to the other.v

34. The combination of. a movable mem ber adapted to carry type, a-pair of ribbon spools mounted thereon, adapted to carry a transfer fabric cooperating with the type, means for rotating either spool to feed the ribbon, and automatic means controlled by either spool becoming empty for changing the drive action from one spool to the other.

35. The combination of a rotary printing drum which prints by rolling impression, a pair of ribbon spools adapted to carry a ribbon therefor, and automatic means operated by the pull on the ribbon, and independent of the number of rotations of the drum, for reversing the direction of the feed of the ribbon.

36. The combination of a rotatable printse'a'ase 7 mati'cally changing the drive, from one spool Flo to the other. V

37. The combination of. a type carrying member and an impression platen 'which 00-.

operate to print' by rolling contact; a pair of ribbon spools adapted to carry a ribbon to cooperate therew1th, -means for driving either spool'to feed the ribbon, and means operated automaticall by either spool becomin empty and in e endent of th'e number o impressions to o ange the direction of drive from one spool to the other.

38. The combination of a. rotary typecarrying drum, a pair of ribbon spools mounted in a recess therein, adapted to carry a transfer fabric'cooperating with the '85 type, means for rotating either spool to feed the ribbon, and automatic means controlled by either spool becoming empty for changing the drive action from one spool to the other.

39. The combination of a rotary drum, means thereon to carry type, a pair .bf spools in a recess therein and adapted to carry a transfer fabric extending across the type, ratchet mechanism adapted to operateon either spool for automatically feeding such fabric as the drum rotates, and means controlled by the length of the ribbon for gutomatically reversing the direction ofthe eed.

40. The combination of a rotatable printing drum adapted to carry a page form, an inking'ribbon extending over such form, a pair of spools on which the ribbon is a mounted; a pair of spool-operating wheels carried by the drum, a stationary driver, a

driven membercoiiperating therewith for a considerable portion of a rotatibmand cars ried by the drum, and connectin mechanism between said driven member a one of the. 1 spools. v p I The combination of a printing mem- 41. her adapted to turn on an axis, means for carrying a type form thereon, a pair of spool-operating wheels carried thereby, a 1

stationary operating member laced around the axis of the printin mem a driving member carried aroun by the member last mentioned in engagement with said operating member, and connecting mechanism between said driving member and one of the spool-operating wheels, and means 'for changing the eifectiveconnection from one spool-operating wheel to the other.

42. The combination of a rotary drum, 126

adapted to carry type, an inking ribbon for ,such type, means for moving said ribbon with the drum during the printing, and

means for gradually feeding said ribbon across the typewhile thedrum is rotating 130 but not printing, said last 'mentioned means including a reciprocating member which moves idly in one direction and ing member, a pair of ribbon spools carried thereon, an eccentric, an eccentric stra surrounding the same and movable w1t the prlntmg member, and mechanlsm operated by said strap and shiftable to engage either spool as desired.

44. The combination of a rotary printing drum, a pair of ribbon spools carried thereon, ratchet wheels therefor, a non-circular stationary driver, a member engaging the same and traveling with the printing member and moving in and out during such travel, and mechanism operated by said member and shiftable to engage eitherratchet wheel, as desired.

45. The combination of a movable printing member, a pair of spools carried thereby, a stationary driving device, a member carried by the printing member and moved in and out by said driving device, and means connected with such driven member for gradually operating either spool as desired.

46, The combination of a rotary printing drum, a pair of ribbon spools carried thereon, a stationary non-circular driving device, a member carried by the printin member and always cooperating with sai driving device, and means connecting such driven 'member with either spool as desired.

-17. The combination of a rotary printing drum, a pair of ribbon spools, an eccentric, an eccentric strap, and mechanism driven by said strap and adapted to drive either spool, as desired; 3

48. The combination of a rotary printing drum, a pair of ribbon spools, shiftable mechanism for driving either spool, and means whereby the retardation of a spool due to the other spool becomin emptyshifts said mechanism from the fol spool to the empty spool.

49. The combination of a rotary printing couple, one member of which carries a page form which the other member impresses a line; 'at atime, means for carryin the wound up ends of an inking ribbon a apted to lie between the members of the cou le, means for feeding said ribbon, and mec anism operated by a resistance to such feed to change the direction of feed.

50. The combination of a type carrying member, a cooperating platen, a air of rib-. bon spools adapted to carry a r1 bon lying between the member and platen, a stationary actuating member, a movable ribbon driving member adapted to be moved in the spools.

engagement with said actuating member to efiect the ribbon feed, and mechanism whereby the same driving member may drive either spool.

\ 5li-The combination of a type carrying member and an impression platen which cooperate to printby rolling contact through an inking ribbon, of a pair of spools adapted to carry the wound u ends of such ribbon, mechanism adapte to automatically drive either spool and shiftable from one spool to the other, and means, operated by the retardation of one of the s 0015 when the ribbon becomes taut due to t e others 001 becoming empty, for automatically shi ting said mechanism.

'52-. The Eombination of a type carrying member adapted to turn on an axis, a air of ribbon spools, a pair of ratchets for 'v- 7 ing said spools, mechanism adapted to cooperate with either ratchet, means for automatically driving said mechanism as the member turns on its axis, and means for automatically shifting said mechanism when either s 001 becomes empty.

53. T e combination of a rotary drum, 9. pair of ribbon spools mounted therein, a

adapted while moving to impress the printing. surface on the type carrying member,

apair of ribbon spools, spool driving mech-v ratchet for driving each spool, pawlsfor operatmg said ratchets, a stationary driver,

anism, and means for shlfting said driving mechanism due to'a retardation of one of 55. The combination member having a age rinting form, an impression platen ormed to roll on such surface while printing, a ribbon adapted to lie between the two, spools adapted to carry of a type carrying for driving either spool, and means for .110 the wound up ends of 'the ribbon, mechanism I changing the direction of the drive automat-ically due to a restraint of the tion of the driven s 001. e

56. The combinatlon with a printing surfree rotaface and a roller laten formed to impress each other while t e laten is turning on its axis, of a pair of rib on spools mounted on the member which carries the printing surface, means for driving either of them,

' means for automatically shifting the drive from one to the lother due to a restraint of drive from one s 001 to the other due to a restraint of the ca rotation of the driven spool.

58. The combination of a movable type carr ing member, a pair of ribbon spools carried thereby, a ratchet wheel for each spool, a driving mechanism having pawls and arranged to driveeither ratchet wheel, and meansfor shifting such driving mechanism from one ratchet wheel to the other, such shifting being'caused by a restraint in the free rotation of one of the ratchet 60. In a ribbon feeding mechanism, the

combination of a rotatable drum having a recess and having an end member, spools Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

mounted in said recess, a movable bar partly on the outer side of the end member passing through an opening in the end member and carrying a pawl on the inner side of the end member, a wheel connected with one of the spools and adapted to be engaged by said pawl, and means for moving sald' bar.

61. The combination of a rotatable drum, a pair of ribbon spools carried in a recess therein, a pair of ratchet wheels within such recess for driving the spools respectively, a reciprocating bar partly within the drum and partly beyond the end thereof slidably guided near one end and yokin around the drum shaft near the other, an means carried by the bar for operating one or the other ratchet.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY C. GAMMETER.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. BATES, SYLVESTER KoHN.

Washington, '3). O. a 

